/ Forum for Human Rights in Israel/Palestine
cfd is actively involved in
the Forum for Human Rights in Israel/Palestine. The forum is a working
group of Swiss development and Human Rights organisations in the Near East. It
strongly advocates the observation of Human Rights in Israel and Palestine, and
supports approaches to the solution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that
comply with International Law. The forum keeps the public informed on the Human
Rights situation in Israel and Palestine, and suggests strategies to strengthen
the position of human rights in the political process. The forum lobbies for
the unequivocal implementation of Human Rights policies within the context of
the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, emphasising the co-responsibility that
Switzerland has, due to its role in the historical situation out of which the
conflict emerged.
The following organisations are members of the Forum: Amnesty International Switzerland, Caritas Switzerland, cfd – The feminist Peace Organisation, Society for Threatened Peoples Switzerland, Association Switzerland-Palestine, HEKS-EPER, Department for Ecumenical Affairs and Cooperation, Reformed Churches Bern-Jura-Solothurn, Horyzon – International Cooperation of the Swiss YMCA/YWCA, Palestine solidarity of the Basle region.
The Future of Palestinian Refugees
The question of the future
of the Palestinian refugees is one of the core issues in the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In all its activities, the forum focuses on creative
approaches that can constructively contribute to the highly polarised debate on
the rights of Palestinian refugees.
'An end to exile - a future
for justice - a foundation for reconciliation - a role for Switzerland'. The
Forum for Human Rights in Israel/Palestine chose this as its motto when its
members articulated their position on the question of the Palestinian refugees.
In 2004,
specialists from the working association of ecumenical church
organisations, missions and development organisations and the Forum for Human
Rights in Israel/Palestine held a conference titled 'The End of
the Journey: Realities and Perspectives of Palestinian Refugees'. In texts and
images, their comprehensive documentation illustrates the reality lived by
refugees in Lebanon, and presents new legal and political solutions. The documentation can be ordered at: oeme@refbejuso.ch